Murals and improved lighting have transformed the underpass linking Melbourn to Meldreth station in south Cambridgeshire.

The makeover includes new reflective paint throughout the underpass to naturally enhance light, new electric lights that come on earlier and stay on later, and murals. Vegetation outside the underpass has been cut back to improve sight lines.

The murals serve as an art gallery along the whole length of the underpass, with frames of different sizes and shapes painted on the walls.

Each frame contains artwork, between them representing forty different groups and organisations including schools, youth groups, places of worship and community groups.

South Cambridgeshire District Council hosted two ‘meet the artist’ sessions at the Warm Hub in Melbourn for local residents to develop their ideas for the wall. The result was a colourful border stretching the length of the underpass which includes plants, flowers, mushrooms and creatures.

The painting was completed by volunteers of all ages over six days during the Easter holidays, working with local artist Bec Barnes who transposed sketches and chalked out outlines leaving volunteers to fill in with paint. The Council provided paint and paintbrushes for people to come and take part as much or as little as they wanted, and more than one hundred volunteers helped in the first week alone.

The underpass, which goes under the A10, was treated to a makeover after South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Community Rail Partnership Project Officer coordinated a survey, which showed that seven in ten people avoided the area after dark and that residents wanted a vibrant art space created by the community. The survey of people in Meldreth and Melbourn took place in June 2022, and 375 responses about lighting, vegetation and artwork, results showed that 69% of respondents would avoid using the underpass at night and 62% felt the underpass was not well enough lit at dusk.

The project was funded by grants from Melbourn and Meldreth Parish Councils, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Govia Thameslink Railway, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Community Rail Development Fund, and SDC contractors; and with support from Cambridgeshire County Council and the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership.

Cllr Susan van de Ven, Chair of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership, which has been accredited for its community work, said: “People of all ages, from babies and toddlers to grandparents, have come together to create this wonderful place in a short window of time. Seeing grassroots community action like this is truly heart-warming. Moreover, we are really pleased to make this area feel safe in response to a call from local people. Months of preparation have included indispensible advice and support from SDC, who have been on site at Melbourn Science Park for the past couple of years and wanted to contribute to a lasting community project. The Meldreth-Melbourn underpass is a great example of partnership at work.”

Cllr SallyAnn Hart, who represents Melbourn ward, said: “It has been an absolute joy to witness the coming together of community groups over the Easter holidays and see the underpass transformed so quickly. Vibrant designs have been lovingly transferred to the blank wall space and frames added. At one point, the raised painting walkway was full of enthusiastic artists!  I took this opportunity to stand back and admire people from all ages and stages of life, working together to help create a safer space full of wonder for passers-by at any time of day.”

Cllr Jose Hales, also a ward member for Melbourn, said: “A huge thank you to everyone for their input into the project including the dozens of local artists who have contributed such wonderful pieces of artwork, SDC for their continued support of the project without whom we wouldn’t have been able to do this in the first place. Also, local lead artist Bec Barnes, who led the actual painting of the underpass and the design. It is truly magnificent. The repaint of the underpass has totally changed the underpass from a dark, damp, unwelcoming space, to a bright, beautifully decorated safe space.”